Steinmeyer Endowed Department Chair of Economics

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications for the position of the Steinmeyer Endowed Department Chair of Economics, with an anticipated starting date of August 2022.

The Kummer Institute for Student Success, Research and Economic Development was established in October 2020 through a gift of $300 million from June and Fred Kummer, longtime benefactors of Missouri S&T. The Institute will transform Missouri S&T and the south-central Missouri region by cultivating leadership and technological innovation; nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset; fostering expansion of academic-industry partnerships to directly address emerging needs of industry; and creating economic growth for the region. The academic arm of the Institute is the new Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, which will be the academic home of the Department of Economics. Learn more at kummerinstitute.mst.edu.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2021.  For best consideration, applications should be received by November 7, 2021.

The department seeks an exceptionally qualified scholar to provide leadership and vision in the department and in the Kummer College. The Steinmeyer Endowed Chair will have access to generous endowment funds that will help elevate the department, advance long-term strategic priorities, and initiate and sustain collaboration among the department and other units across and beyond campus. 

Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in economics or a closely related discipline and hold the rank of full professor or be qualified for tenure and appointment to the rank of full professor at the time of appointment. They should have an outstanding portfolio of scholarship evidenced by a strong record of publication in economics and related fields as well as a clear and demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring of students at all levels. Just as important, candidates should be able to demonstrate success as an effective, inspiring, and collegial academic leader.

As department chair, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide a clear and consistent vision of future advancement and growth for the department that is well-integrated into the applied science and engineering research focus of Missouri S&T;
• Develop and implement plans to raise the national and international standing of the department as a leader in economics education and research;
• Raise the visibility of the department;
• Recruit and retain outstanding faculty;
• Possess a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Develop and implement plans to enhance the reputation of our undergraduate programs and promote enrollment growth;
• Promote student success by creating an environment conducive to a quality education;
• Lead the operations of a diverse department with considerable responsibilities for current undergraduate education and future graduate programs.

Applicants should highlight evidence of or potential for success in any of these categories.

The Department of Economics consists of 5 tenured and tenure-track faculty and 1 ranked non-tenure-track faculty. The research interests of the faculty range over many areas, including macroeconomics, energy/environmental economics, sports economics, and others. The department plays an important role on the engineering-focused campus of Missouri S&T, in terms of interdisciplinary interactions with other departments. In particular, the department actively engages in entrepreneurship programs for scientists and engineers and recently became part of the NSF’s Great Lakes Innovations Corps (I-Corps) Hub.  The department has B.A. and B.S. programs, with 39 undergraduate majors on average.  In addition, the department actively works with international institutions and currently assists Mazoon College in Muscat, Oman, with the development and implementation of academic degree programs.  Additional details about the department can be found at the department website: http://econ.mst.edu/.

Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of the nation’s leading technological research universities.  One of four campuses of the University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T is a U.S. News & World Report top-100 public national university. With its reputation as one of the leading engineering campuses in the country and its emphasis on applied science, Missouri S&T attracts high quality students from across the nation with a fall 2020 enrollment of over 7,600 students, including over 1,550 master’s and Ph.D. students. Home to many outstanding researchers in engineering and science and several interdisciplinary research centers, the University provides an abundance of opportunities for collaborative research. With the creation of the Kummer Institute and Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Missouri S&T is planning to expand its degree offerings and establish additional interdisciplinary research centers. Located about 100 miles southwest of St. Louis in the multicultural community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks scenery.

Interested candidates can find details of the application process at the web address https://hr.mst.edu/careers/ and must submit all applications through this site. Applications should consist of:

Cover letter outlining the candidate’s qualifications for the position, with particular focus on the candidate's contributions to research, teaching, diversity and leadership.

• Current curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s record of teaching, publications, grants, advising, and administrative and leadership experience;
• Contact information for at least three

Missouri S&T is an AA/EEO institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.  Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Missouri S&T seeks to meet the needs of dual-career families.  Missouri S&T participates in E-Verify; for more information, please contact DHS at: 1-888-464-4218.